Kalkan is a lovely small hilltop town with traditional white-washed small houses, shuttered windows and balconies garlanded with flowers.

Patara is the principal harbor of ancient Lycia where, according to mythology, Apollo was born. It is also the birth place of St. Nicholas. Its 22 km of pure white sand stretches as far as the eye can see. It is the longest beach in the East Mediterranien region.

Kayakoy (Rock Village) is a ghost village 15 km away from Fethiye where until very recently, a Greek population lived. After the population exchange wth Greece in 1922, it was deserted.

Fethiye is a popular holiday resort boasts an important marina at the head of a beautiful bay, strewn with islands. Above the town (called Termessos in antiquity) are carved numerous Lycian rock tombs, reproducing the facades of ancient buildings. The tomb of Amyntas, whch probably dates back to the forh century, is the most remarkable.

Oludeniz (Dead Sea) is a sheltered lagoon of great beauty almost totally cut off from the sea at the northern end of the long cove. Stretching from the lagoon to the southern end of the cove is a long sandy public beach at the foot of Mountain Babadag. It is also one of the most popular paragliding places in the world.

The town of Koycegiz lies on the northern end of a lake of the same name and is joined to the Mediterranean by a natural channel, called Dalyan Channel or Dalyan Delta. High on the cliff face, on the bend in the river and above the fascinating ancient harbor city of Caunos, magnificent tombs were carved into the rocks. The Dalyan Delta, with its long, golden sandy Iztuzu Beach, is a nature conservation area and refuge for sea turtles and blue crabs.

A small village on the north coast of Bodrum Peninsula overlooking a small bay, Bodrum has gained the reputation as the center of the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly and bohemian atmosphere. This community has encouraged an informal day-time lifestyle and an exciting night life. The town's charm attracts a diverse population of vacationers who stroll along its long palm-lined waterfront, while elegant yachts crowd the marina.

Bodrum, known in ancient times as Halicarnussus, was the birth place of Heredotus and was the site of King Mausolus' tomb (4th century), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the harbor, Bodrum Castle, is a fine example of 15th century crusader architecture. It has been converted into the Museum of Underwater Archeology, the biggest in the world, with remains dating as far back as the Bronze Age.

Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo. Even in its unfinished state, the Apollo Temple was regarded as one of the largest temples in the Hellenistic world.

Travelogue: June 2-June 5, 2001

Destination: Fethiye and Bodrum